Donned in vibrant maroon togas, 521 graduands from the College of Arts and Social Sciences (CASS) walked the carpeted floors of the MSU-IIT gymnasium during the 56th Pre-Commencement Ceremonies Second Semester Graduation held on Monday, July 27, 2026.
Following the ceremonies for the College of Law, College of Education, College of Engineering, and College of Science and Mathematics, CASS was the fifth to hold its rites, honoring the academic achievements of MSU-IIT’s largest graduating batch among colleges this semester.
Following the ceremonies for the College of Law, College of Education, College of Engineering, and College of Science and Mathematics, CASS was the fifth to hold its rites, honoring the academic achievements of MSU-IIT’s largest graduating batch among colleges this semester.
“Ad astra per aspera. To the stars, through difficulties,” emphasized Prof. Ephrime Metillo, PhD, Vice Chancellor for Research and Enterprise, in his welcome remarks, encouraging graduands to recognize that failure is not something to fear but a crucial step toward achieving meaningful success.
Introduced and welcomed by Prof. Nancy Echavez, PhD, Vice Chancellor for Public Affairs, Atty. Kirwen Nillama, a highly accomplished corporate, real estate, and litigation lawyer and the managing and founding partner of MN Law, graced the ceremony as CASS’ pre-commencement speaker, marking a homecoming 20 years after his own graduation in 2006.
Drawing from the allegory of a bamboo alkansiya, Atty. Nillama shared how his mother’s steadfast love and the coins she diligently saved in a bamboo coin bank—which she broke open whenever he needed fare to go to school—became his source of strength and motivation to persevere.
Through the story, he reminded the CASS graduands that hard work, grit, and humility are indispensable in pursuing one’s dreams despite life’s difficulties.
“Go. Work hard. Stay gritty. Stay humble. And never ever forget the coins in the dirt,” he urged, leaving the audience with a lasting reminder that the setbacks they face today can one day become the very foundation of their greatest successes.
One by one, the 521 CASS graduands marched across the stage with their loved ones to receive their hard-earned certificates of degree completion, with Latin honors and special ARAP recognition for first-generation graduates also awarded.
Following the conferment of certificates and awards, the Class of 2026 Valedictorian Sarah Jane Navia, a Bachelor of Science in Philosophy major in Applied Ethics student, delivered her valedictory address before the CASS graduating class.
In her speech, Navia emphasized that society cannot thrive on practicality alone but must also be anchored in the values championed by the liberal arts: principles that even the most advanced technologies cannot replace.
She underscored how CASS disciplines empower individuals to question authority, learn from history, cultivate empathy, confront social inequalities, and safeguard democratic freedoms.
“CASS has instilled in us that kakambal ng husay at talino ang puso at konsensya. That excellence and intelligence are meaningless without compassion and conscience,” she said, urging her fellow CASSmates to carry these values with them as they embark on the next chapter of their lives.
Written by Jahara Huban
Photos by Samuel Adrian Guerra
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